[Historical Works Contents – Original]
As Regni Regis Carolj 15, et Sal: 1639.
The castell of Edinbrughe wes takin by the Lordes couenanters, betuix foure and fyue a clocke in the eiuening of the 21 day of Marche, 1639; Mr Archbald Haddan, vnckell to the Laird of Gleneggies, being constable of the same, wnder the Earle of Marr, quho refussed to rander it. They forced the wtter gaite with a pittard, and the tuo inermost gaittes with iron hamers. The thre leaders of this dance wer, Sr Alexander Leslie of Balgoney, General; Sr Alex: Hamilton, Generall of the Artellizrie, and Generall Maior, Robert Monro, with some Colonells, and a 1000 commandit musquetiers. They entred, and found in it some pices of grate ordnance, 25 feild peices, some ball, and about fourtie musquetts.
One Saterday the 22 of Marche, some of the cheiffe couenanters, viz. the Earles of Rothes, Home, Louthean, with the Lordes Zester, St. Claire and Balmerinoche, went to Dalkeithe, and with them a 1000 commandit musqueteires. They no souner presented themselues befor the housse, bot the Lord Thesaurer Traquair, keiper therof, furthwith deliuered it to them. They searched all the roumes therof for armes, and at last found in a seller, dowcat, and a drawwell, and in some other obscure places, 48 barrells of pouder, 24 barrells of small shote, 6 carte load of musquetts, and 2 of pickes, wich the brought to Edinbrughe castle, one Monday the 24 of this same mounthe; lykwayes from Dalkeithe they brought the royall enseinges of the kingdome, croune, suord and scepter, and that with grate solemnity and pompe, and put them wpe in Edinbrugh castle, one Saterday at night, that same day.
The 20 of Marche, this same zeire, the castell of Douglas was randred to the couenanters. In it wer nather armes nor aney kynd of amunition. Befor ther coming, the Marques of Douglas himselue was fled to England; and his Ladey did intreat them, that seinng shoe was bige with chyld, and could not trawell wther quher, that they wold permitt her to lodge in some corner of the castle; to wich desyre they assented, and so placed a garisone in it.
One Sunday the 23 of this same mounthe of Marche, 1639, Dunbartan castle lykwayes was takin by suche a stratageme as followes:- The capitane therof, Sr Williame Steuarte, vith his Ladey, and some 15 of his souldiers, not suspecting aney surprysall came to the toune churche, it being a fastinge day, and hauing hard both sermons, wer aboute to goe home to the castle. The prouest of the toune comes to him, and desyres him, that seeing he had fasted all day, he wold now goe with him and take some refreshement. The capitane anssuered, No, he wold goe home to the castle; and intreated him that he wold haue him excussed. Then, sayes the prouest, for the better to yourselue, I requyre you goe with me; and so 40 armed men hurles capitane and all to the housse; at wich the capitane being astonished, the prouest sayes, Feare not, ze must deliuer me the keyes now for the countries saftie. That will I neuer doe so longe as my lyffe is in me, anssuers Sr William. Weeill, replayes the prouest, be not foolishly obstinat; for if ze send not presently and causse deliuer me the keyes, I woue to God to send your heades that are heire to be a tokin to deliuer them. The capitane thus catched, to saue his lyffe, sent for the keyes, and deliuered them to olde Johne Semple, the prouest.
The 30 of this same mounthe of Marche, Sr James Arnott of Ferney, and some gentlemen with him, and 60 musqueteirs, commandit by one St. Claire, marched from Couper in Fyffe to Darsey; the Laird therof, being the Archbischope of St. Andrewes sone, wes gone; his Ladey caused opin to them the gattes, and mett them herselue. They told her they wer sent to see quhat armes and amunitione she had within. Shoe caussed oppin to them all the dores, they searched all the corners of the housse, bot nather found armes nor ammunitione, bot onlie seuin fouling peices, and some 16 lances, wich they brought with them, without aney other violence offred. This searching of Darsey was done at the Earle of Rothes command, the day præceiding.
In Appryle and Maij, this zeire, the couenanters did raisse a werey gallant armey, esteeimed to be betueen 26 and 30 thousand horsse and foote, of wich they made Sr Alexander Lesley of Balgoney knight Generall. They marched with fleing colors to Duns-Law, in the Mersse, and pitched ther tents in sight of the King and his armey, quho wer encamped one the southe syde of Tueed, at a place called the Brickes, some 3 miles from Berwick, vpe the riuer, with a far less armey, (for he was not 12,000 men, horsse and footte) of wich Thomas, Earle of Arundaill and Surrey, was generall.
The 6 of Junij, 1639, Charles, Earle of Dumfermlinge, presented to his Maiestie, in his campe at the Brickes one Tueed, the humble petitione of his Maiesties subiectes of Scotland, as followes:-
To the Kinges most excellent Maiestie,
The humble petitione of his Maiesties subiectes of Scotland, humblie shewing, that quheras the former meins vsed by ws hath not beine effectuall for recouering your Maiesties fauor, and the peace of this your Maiesties kingdome, wee fall doune againe at your Maiesties feeitte, most humbley suplicatting that your Maiesty wold be gratiouslie pleased to appoynt some few of your Maiesties maney worthey men of your Maiesties kingdome of England, who are weill affected to the trew religion and comon peace, to heire by some of vs of the same affection, of our humble desyres; and to make knowen to ws your Maiesties gratious pleasure, that as, by the prouidence of God, wee are heire ioyned in one Iland and one Kinge, so by your Maiesties grate wisdome and tender caire, al mistaking may be speedily remoued, and the tuo kingdomes may be keipt in peace and happines vnder your Maiesties longe and prosperous rainge; for the wiche wee shall neuer ceasse, as becomes your Maiesties faithfull subiectes, daylie to pray for your Maiesties longe and happey rainge ouer ws.
This petitione receaued anssuer the 8 of Junij, and the Earle of Dumfermling receaued a sayfe conducte to thesse that should treatte, seinged with the Kinges awen hand; for the Scottes Lordes refussed to take the hand of aney Secretarey for the sayfe coming and returne.
Tuesday, the 11 day of Junij, wes apponted for ther first meittinng, and the place to be in Arundaill the Inglishe Generalls tent, in the Englishe campe. This same day ther came to treat from the couenanters campe,
Johne, Earle of Rothes;
Johne, Lord Loudone;
Sr Villiam Douglas of Cauers;
wich, after a werey longe conference and full heiring of all ther griuances by his Maiestie, accompanied with
James, Ducke of Richemond;
James, Marques Hamilton;
Thomas, Earle of Arundail;
Henrey, Earle of Holland;
Earle of Essex;
Sr Harey Vaine, Thr: of his Maties Houshold;
Sr Jo: Cooke, Principall Secretarey of Estait;
all of them of his Maiesties priuey consaill. The conference endit, the Scotts commissioners wer all of them feasted by the Lord Generall Arundaile, in his auen tent, and immediatly after dinner, the Scotts commissioners returned home to ther campe at Duns, with a kisse of his Maiesties hand.
Ther second meitting wes in the Englishe Generalls tent, vpon Thursday the 13 day of Junij. From the Scotts armey came this day to treate with Rothes, Loudone and Cauers, Mr Alexander Hendersone, and with him Mr Archbald Ihonston, clercke of the generall assembley. They, after maney houres conference in his Maiesties presence, at last endend this dayes trettey with a kisse of his Maiesties hands the 2d tyme. They wer this day lykwayes feasted by the Englishe Generall.
The last meitting was appoynted to be one Satterday the 17 of Junij; bot for diuersse ressons and respectes, it was continowed wntill Monday the 19 day of this same mounthe, at wich tyme ther from the Scottes campe, Rothes, Loudone, Sr Villiam Douglas and Mr Alexander Hendersone, and ther, in presence of his Maiestie, in the Earle of Arundells tent, the artickells of peace wer seinned, first by the Kinges Maiestie, and then by the commissioners one both sydes.
1. The forces of Scotland to be disbanded and discharged within twenty four houres after the publicatione of his Maiesties declaratione, now aggreid wpon.
2. Hes Maiesties castells, forttes and amunitiones of all sortes, and royall honors, to be deliuered after the publicatione, so soune as his Majestie can send to receaue them.
3. His Maiesties shipes to depairte presently after the deliuerey of the castells, with the first faire wind, and in the meantyme no interruptione of trade or fishing.
4. His Maiestie is gratiously pleased to causse to be restored all persons goodes and shipes, detained or arrested since the first of Nouember last past.
5. Ther shall be no meittinges, treatties, consultations or convocations of our leidges, bot suche as are varrantable by actes of parliament.
6. All fortifications to desist, and no further working therone, and they to be remitted to his Maiesties pleasure.
7. To restore to eurey one of our good subiectes ther liberties, housses, landes, goodes and meines quhatsomeuer, takin and detained from them by quhatsomeuer meines, since the forsaid tyme.
8. The assembley to be indicted to the 6 of Aguste, and parliament to begin the 20 of the same mounthe.
Forby thir eght artickells, ther wer thre or foure others seigned by the Kinge, wich wer deliuered to the Scottes commissioners, one conditione not to be published, least the world should thinke his Maiesties honor therby to be aney wayes impared. A copey of wich paper was therafter, by the pernitious counsaill of Laude, Archbischope of Canterburey, and of the Earle of Strafford, Deputey or Lord Leiuetenant of Irland, solemly brunt at Cheapesyde Crosse, by the hand of the hangeman of London; his Maiesties honor neuer receauing such a vound, then by his assenting to so vnworthey and dishonorable ane acte, as in so scuruey a way to disclaime and disawou his auen concessions, seigned by his owen hand, befor so maney famous vittnes of both nations.
One Vedinsday the 21 of Junij, according to the artickells of peace, the Scottes armey begane, after tuelffe a clocke, to raisse ther campe and disbande.
One Thursday, 22 of Junij, Lyone King of Armes, wes sent by his Matie to the Scottes campe, accompanied with the Earles of Morton, Linlithgow and Kinnoule, Sr Edmund Varney, Knight, Marishall of England, Sr Johne Burrowghes, Garter Principall King of Armes, and Sr Henrey Myldmie, Mr of his Maiesties Jewelles, commissioners to publishe his Maiesties declaratione; bot befor ther arriuell, most of the armey wer disbandit, onlie one regiment, commandit by Monro, and some 5 or 6 companies of other regiments, with a grate maney noblemen and commanders attending Generall Leslie, then going to breakfast in the castlehall of Duns.
The Lyone went out to the greine one the northsyde of the castle, and ther, in presence of the said noblemen, commanders, regiment and companies, published the follouing declaratione:-
Charles Rx.
Wee hauing considered the peapers and humble petitions presented wnto ws by thosse of our subiects of Scotland, quho wer admitted to attend our pleasure in the campe, and after a full heiring by ourselffe, of all that they coulde say ore alledge thervpon; hauing communicated the same to our counsaile of both kingdomes, vpon mature deliberatione, with the vnanimos adwisse, wee thought fitt to giue them this iust and gratious anssuer.
That althoughe wee cannot condescend to ratifie and approue the actes of the pretendit generall assembley at Glasgow, for maney graue and vaighty considerations, much importing the honor and security of that trew monarchicall gouerniment linially descendit vpon ws from so maney of our ant’cesters; zet such is our gratious pleasure, that notwithstanding the maney disorders committed of lait, wee pleassed not only to confirme and make good quhatsomeuer our Commissioner hath granted and promissed in our name; bot also, wee are furder gratiouslie pleassed to declare and assure, that according to the petitioners humble desyres, all matters ecclesiasticall shall be determined by the assemblies of the kirke, and matters ciuile by the parliament, and other inferior judicatories established by law; wich assemblies, accordingly, shall be keept once a zeire, ore as shall be aggreid one at the generall assembley. And for setling the generall distractions of that our ancient kingdome, our will and pleasur is, that a free generall assembley be keipt at Edinbrughe, the 6 day of Agust nixt ensewing, wher wee intend (God willing) to be personaly present; and for the legall indictione therof, wee haue giuen order and command to our counsaile; and therafter a parliament to be holdin at Edinbrughe, the 20 day of Agust nixt ensewing, for ratifinng of quhat shall be concludit in the said assembley, and setling such other thinges as may conduce to the peace and good of our natiue kingdome, and therin ane acte of obliuion to be passed.
And wheras wee ar further desyred that our shipes and forces by land be recalled, and all persons shipes and goods restored, and they made saue from invasione; wee ar gratiously pleased to declaire, that vpone ther disarming and disbanding all ther prætendit tables and conuentickells, and restoring to ws all our castells, forts and amunitions of all sortes, as lykwayes our royall honors, and to eurey one of our good subiectes ther libertie, landes, horsses, goods and meines quhatsoeuer, takin and detained from them since the lait prætendit generall assembley; wee will presently therafter recall our fleeit, reteir our land forces, and causse restitution to be made to all persons of ther shipes and goods detained and arrested since the forsaid tyme, wherby it may appeir that our intention of takinge vpe armes was nowayes for invading our natiue kingdome, or to innouat the religion and lawes, bot meirlie for mantining and vindicating of our royall authority.
And since that heirby it doeth cleirly appeire, that we nather haue nor doe intend aney alteration in religion or lawes, bot that both shall be manteined by ws in ther full integrity; we expecte the performance of that humble and dewtifull obedience, wich becometh loyall and deutifull subiects, as in ther seuerall petitions they haue often professed.
And as we haue iust resone to beleiue, that to our peaceable and weell affected subiects this vill be satisfactorey; so wee take God and the vorlde to wittness, that quhatsoeuer calamities shall ensew by our necessitated suppressing of the insolencies of such as shall continew in ther disobediente courses, is not occasioned by ws, bot by ther auen procurement.
Sic subscribitur,
STERLINE.
Imediatley after the declaratione was by the Lyone published, the Earle of Cassiles, in name of the nobility, gentrey, burgeses and comons, did adheare to the generall assembley haldin at Glasgow in the mounth of Nouember 1638; and in presence of them offred the Lyone a copey of the said protestatione, wich he called a paper; bot the Lyone refussed it. After wich the comissioners and the Lyone, aboute fourte in the afternoone, returned to his Majesties campe, and ther made relation of quhat had past; wherat the King did not seime much to be moued, in respecte they had not read aney protestatione, bot onlie offred a paper.
Aboute the 24 of Junij, the King commandit the Lyone to post to Edinbrughe, and ther to publishe his declaration, wich he did the 26 day of this same mounthe, with werey grate solemnity, assisted by the magistratts of the citey. The Lyone had no souner assendit the crosse, bot he found standing ther the Earles of Rothes, Cassiles and Louthean, with the Lords Lindesay, Boyde and Balmerinoche; the publicatione finished, and the Lyone about to depairt, the Lord Lindesay said, that he was come ther in name of the nobility, gentrey and comons, to giue his Maiesty most humble and hartey thankes for his gratious declaration, and withall did desyre the Lyone to take notice and adwertisse his Maiestie, that he, in name of the rest, did adheare to the assembley of Glasgow, in so far as wes communed betuix his Maiesty and the commissioners in his Maiesties campe at the Brickes one Tueede; and then offred him a paper wiche he refussed, and so departed.
The King almost wntill the midle of Julay, reseided in Berwick, and disbandit his armey; eache horsseman had foure pound, and euery foote souldier fourtie shilling starline to carey them home, wich amonted to a werey grate soume to his Maiestie, altho bot a small pittance to euery one that had so far to goe.
While the courte remained at Beruick, ther was a courte trape layed to catche some of the pryme couenanters. The King is made, by the corrupte counsellers aboute him, to wreat letters, full of alluring and kynd expressions to Argyle, Cassiles, Louthean, Balmerinoche and eghte more, to repaire to his Maiesties courte at Beruick, in respecte he had diuers bussines of grate consequence, concerning the peace of his kingdomes, to adwysse with them; bot they smelling the ratt afar offe, wer secretly adwertissed by ther frindes to looke to themselues, and to come no neirer Beruicke at this tyme, as they wolde euitt and eschew ane wnfallable and most certaine destructione. The Lordes, by ther letters, did excusse ther not attending his Maiestie at that tyme, for diuersse respectes. The King and courte seing ther plot reueilled, and themselues of ther expectatione disapoynted, wer heighly displased that ther gin had not taken better hold; wich made his Maiestie, one Fryday the 19 of Julij, to send to the Lordes couenanters a paper contaning 18 greeuances.
1. Englishe shipes abussed at Leithe.
2. Ammunition not at all restored.
3. Forces not dismist, especially Munro’s regiment still keipt vpe one foote.
4. Generall Leslie, his commissione not giuen vpe.
5. Fortifications not so much as begune to be demolished.
6. The wnlawfull meittinges still kept vpe, wher our good subiects are dayly pressed to adheare both to ther wnlawfull couenants and assembley of Glasgow.
7. Protestation aganist our gratious declaration of the acte of pacificatione at Duns.
8. Protestation made publickly in Edinbrughe, at the indictione of the assembley.
9. Protestation at our commanding the session to sitt doune.
10. Whay seditious ministers, quho in ther sermons preache seditiously, are not takin order with.
11. Whay our good subiects are deterred and threttned, if they shall come home to ther auen natiue countrey and housses.
12. Our subiects are requyred to subscriue the actes of the lait assembley, or the couenant with the additione.
13. Order is not takin with the persons, quho haue committed insolencies wpone our officers and others our good subiects.
14. None are allowed or admitted to be members, ore chosen to this ensewing generall assembley, except such as doe subscriue to the ratificatione of the former assembley.
15. Our good subiects, quho have stand by ws and our seruice, are publickly railled one in the streetts and pulpitts by the name of traitors and betrayers of ther countrey.
16. Ministers are daylie deposed for not subscriuing the ordinances of the lait assembley and couenant.
17. Whay Balmerinoche and his associatts did keepe our good subiectes from coming to us, quhen they wer redey and willing to obey our command.
18. The paper diuulged, and if they will awowe the same.
Thir eghteine griuances, or rather exagerations of the Kings Maiesties, receaued from the commissioners of eache estait at Edinbrughe, thesse ensewing ansuers, by ane expresse. They wer sent to his Maiestie, togider with a letter full of humility and submissione; and to the first they anssuered:-
That the proces led befor the balzies of Leithe, and the parties and vittnes depositions takin befor Capitane Feildinge, 22 of Julij instant, will cleire this, and wittnes aganist them, that they haue contradicted themselues, and so are not worthey to be beleiued.
To the second, the canon that wer at Leith are deliuered wnto the castle alredey; and all the rest shall be deliuered in with possible diligence, at fardest befor Saterday nixt. As for the musketts, all that we conceaue wer takin are alredey deliuered, and if the Lord Thesaurer can proue that aney of our society did receaue aney more, the same shall be restored, or the pryce therof; and the 54 barrells of pouder sall be payed, and for the ball, they wer not made wsse of, bot ar laying still quher they wer.
To the 3d, since hes Maiestie will haue that regiment disbandit, the same shall be done presently; bot wee humbley beg that his Maiesty wold be pleassed to dismisse the garisons of Beruicke and Carlisle and the rest of the borders.
The 4t is obayed by the Generall, his surrender, wich he pressed maney tymes befor.
The 5t neides not to be anssuered, in respecte ther was no fortificatione made.
To the 6t, it is denayed that aney meittinges are keipt, bot suche as are aggriable to the actes of parliament; and altho wee must adheare to our most necessarey and laufull couenant, (to our knowledge) none hathe beine vrged to subscriue.
To the 7t, it is denayed that aney protestatione was made aganist his Maiesties gratious declaratione of the pacificatione; bot be the contrarey, both at Duns and Edinbroughe, publicke thankes wer giuen, with a declaratione, onlie that wee did adhere to the assembley.
To the 8, it is anssuered, that wee could not passe by the citatione of the bisshopes to the assembley, without protestation; seing our silence might have inferred vs to haue acknouledged them to be members of the assembley.
To the 9, ther was nothing protested aganist the session, to inferre aney claime that aney subiecte hes pouer to hinder or discharge them; bot onlie in respecte of the tymes, for nather the leidges could attend, nather had they the wrettinges in readinesse to persew or defend; they behoued to protest for remeid of law, in caisse aney thing should be done to ther præiudice.
To the 10, vee know no such seditious ministers, and quhen aney ministers alledged seditious sall be called befor the Iudge Ordinar, they shall be punished accordinge to iustice.
To the 11, we know none of his Maties good subiectes, quho are now deterrid ore thretned, nor doe wee allow that aney should be troubled; and if aney feare themselues, ther is ane ordinarey way in iustice quhilk they may wsse; and if wnder the name of good subiects is meined excommunicat persons, quho be the lawes of this countrey should be rebells and captione wsed aganist them, quhilk hes beine desyred by the kirke and countrey, and refussed, and quho also are the authors of all the eiuells that hes come vpone this kingdome, none can giue assurance for ther indemnity, quho stands thus guilty and odious to the people.
To the 12, it is anssuered in the ansuer to the sext.
To the 13, the resons that the magistrats of Edinbrughe did not goe one in the strickest way of iustice in that bussines, was becausse the Lord Thesaurer thought, that the too stricke goinng one in that matter might hinder his Maiesties better seruice, lykas the magistrats wsed all possible diligence to tray quho wer the actors, and hauing examined diuersse of them, quho wer alledged to be of that nomber, they all denayed, and no prouffe could be had aganist them, viz. the wyffe at the Netherbou, and one Litle, a barber.
To the 14, this is denayed, becausse to our knouledge, no suche exceptione hes beine made at aney of thesse aganist aney such persons.
To the 15, ther are none quho are alledged to haue raylled, ather in the streetts or pulpitts, quho shall not be made anssuerable, and lyable to the law for quhat they haue spokin, quhen they shall be accused befor the Iudge Ordinarey.
To the 16, it is altogider denayet.
To the 17, Balmerinoche was alredey cleirit, that he was not the causse of ther stay, and thesse that did stope them, did it for the ressons contined in the paper heirwith giuen in.
To the last, as we are most wnwilling to fall vpon aney question, wich may seime to import the least contradictione with his Maiestie; so if it had not beine the trust wich wee gaue to the relation of our commissioners, quho did report to vs his Maiesties gratious expressions relatted to vs daylie at Duns, and petitionet by maney of our nomber, vich wer a grate deall more satisfactorey to ws then this vrettin declaration, the same wold not haue beine acceptable, vich did call the assembley pretendit, our humble and loyall proceidinges, disorders, our courses disaggriable to monarchicall gourniment; nor the castle of Edinbrughe randred, wich was onlie takin for the saftie of the toune of Edinbrughe, simplie without assurance by wreat for the indemptnity, except for the trust we reposed in ther relation, and confidence in his Maiesties royall word, wich wee beliue they did not forgett; bot wald bring thesse quho did adheare to the trettey to the right remembrance therof, wich paper wes onlie wrettin for that caus, least ather his Maiesty or his subiects should differ that they spake aney thing without warrant.
With thir anssuers to his Maiesties griuances, the lords, barons and burgeses, &c. sent by ane expresse, tuo papers, one of them contined some few ressons for staying the noblemen and others named by his Matie from repairing at this tyme to the courte at Beruick. The other conteined some sex griuances to be remonstrat to his Matie.
The resons wer, that his Majesty hath not beine in wsse, at aney tyme of the gratest security, to call aney of his Maiesties subiectes out of the kingdome after this sorte; and at this tyme, wich is so full of feares, to call so maney of suche sorte, without aney command ore warrant sent to themselues, it seimeth to ws strange; and may wee not say, was euer his Maiesty or his royall father wount to doe so to ws since ther going into England wnto this day. Altho his Maiesties declaratione at Duns, contrair to our mynd and merit, did call the lait assembley a pretendit assembley; our humble and loyall proceidings, disorders; our courses disagreiable to monarchicall gouerniment; and did threttin ws with the terrors of his vrathe; zet our desyre is to liue a quyet and peaceable lyffe, vnder his Maiesties gouerniment; and our zeall to his Maiesties honor, (altho with some aspertion putt vpone ourselues befor the worlde) moued ws to receaue them, becausse of diuersse gratious expressions related to vs from his Maiesties mouthe by our commissioners, wich wee did heire gladlie, and nott diligently for our auen content; and that wee might be able to satisfie others, and without wich the artickells of pacificatione had neuer beine accepted. Zet wee now vnderstand, that all or the gratest pairt of thesse verball expressions are denayed; wich makes our houpes to wawer, giueth ws grate causse of jelosie and suspitions, and moueth ws to call in question all other reports made to ws from his Maiestie.
His Maiestie knoweth, that quhat is so instantly pressed at this tyme, wes none of the artickells aggreid wpone at that tyme; and if, besyde the restitutione of gudes, the randring of the castells, the disbanding of the armey, it had beine then requyred that thesse 14 should then haue beine sent to the campe or to Beruick, the condition had beine harder then that wee could haue zeildit to it; becausse wee cannot judge of the intentions of myndes and dispositions of hartes, bot by that wich wee heire withe our eares, and doeth appeire in actione. Ve desyre to be considered, that all expressions of fauor are putt vpone our aduersaries; they esteimed and called his Maties good subiectes, and ther practisses his Maiesties seruice. Vpon the contraire, whole volumes are spread (and euen since the treattey putt in all handes) aganist ws, not onlie stuffed with suche reproches aganist almost the quhole kingdome, and particularly aganist the persons now sent for, that it wer a dishonor to the King to haue suche a kingdome, and a shame to be sett ouer suche subiectes as wee are descryued to be; bot also conteinng threttninges and woues of exemplar punishment wpone suche as they are reputted to be. That the troubles of the northe pairts of the kingdome are not ceassed. That garisons are keipt in Beruick and wthers places of the borders. That the castle of Edinbrughe is fortified and furnished aboue aney thing that hathe beine hard offe at aney tyme befor. That some creuell blodie wordes aganist some Scottes Lordes haue beine ouerhard at Beruick, and wich wee could not haue beleiued, bot that the same is testified by so maney letters sent heither. That our frindes and countrymen in Irland not onlie, bot euen now in England also, are not onlie stopped in ther trade, bot castin in prisson for ther modest refussing to take othes contrariey to ther couenant wich they haue suorne in ther auen countrey; a violence not wsed befor the trettey of pace, and contrair to the law of nations, to the reule of comon equitie, of doing that to others quhilke we wold they should not doe to vs, and to the artickells of pacification aggreid one with his Maiesty.
Thesse and the lyke considerations doe so worke vpone ws, except wee doe aganist our auen hartes, and denay our auen sence, wee cannot giue way to so maney eminent persons to repaire to Berwicke, wich wee trust his Majesty will nather interprett to be disobedience, since wee haue all beine cairfull to see all the conditions performed to the wttermost one our pairt; and ther is not one of that nomber, or of ws all, bot shall be redey for our auen pairts to giue the most ample testimonies of our obedience to his Maiesties commandiments, and offe our confidence in his Maiesties iustice and goodnes, as his Matie shall really find by experience at his coming, and during his aboade in the; for wee are assurid quhat hath beine comitted to aney since the begune pacification, contrair to aney of the artickells therof, hath proceidit from the dispositione of wicked instrumentts about his Maiestie, quho are the enimies of his Maiesties honor and our peace, and haue beine the authors of all our woefull diuisions, wiche wee beseche the Lord to bring to ane end by ane hapey and euerlasting peace.
The 6 griuances sent with the former paper to his Maiestie to Beruick, wer thesse:-
1. The prouisione layed in the castle of Edinbrughe, extraordinarey as granadoes, polpices and vthers of the lyke sorte, being offensive and not defensiue.
2. Protections giuen without payment of annuall rent.
3. Insolencies committed in the northe.
4. Othes ministred to Scottesmen, especially skippers and merchants, wich is contrarey to the lawes of nations, and to the lawes of Scotland; will bring men in inconveinences, stope the trade, and begett a number of wnspeackable euills.
5. Justice denayed to all thesse that persewes for iust debtes in England, if the partey shall alledge that they haue subscriued the couenant.
6. Priuat mens outfallinges and broyles are questioned as nationall quarrells.
Befor I take a surway of the most remarkable passages of the generall assembley, holdin at Edinbrughe, the 12 of Aguste, this zeire, quherin Thesaurer Traquaire satte Commissioner for the King, I will onlie exhibit to the reiders wieu a letter from the Lordes couenanters to the Earles of Essex, of the dait the 19 of Apryle, 1639, sent by ane expresse; as also some instructions sent by Pope Vrbane the 8, and congregatione De Propaganda Fide (as they name themselues) at Rome, to his Nuntio, Seymor Georgio Cone, then reseiding at the courte of England, both of wich I haue reserued for this place, quherby ane wysse man may judge the better of some former passages; and first take the letter;
Our most noble Lord,
As in all thesse affaires (wich haue beine so much noysed abroad) of the liberties of our churche, our cheiffest caire hath beine to walk warantablie, according to the lawes that wer still in force for that effecte, so wee are certanlie persuaded amongest ourselues, ther is non that can complaine justly of that wich hath passed. And for thesse of our countreymen now in England, if they be of that number, as they are eiuell subiectes to our gratious Souerainge, and worsse compatriotts to ws, so of all the worst guests amongest you, whill they endeuor to make the remedey of ther eiuells, and the escape of ther deserued punishment, the begining of ane incurable deseasse betuix the tuo nations, to quhom the quarrell should no wayes extend. If the informations and protestations made by ws for this end, and the bond of our couenant suorne to God and man, hath not cleired all scruples in the mynd of our gratious King heithertills, and of all good subiects with you, it is not our faulte, bot rather our ioynt misfortune with you, that ther is too maney amongest you also, in gratest place and crydit, quhosse priuat bayas runs quyte wyde and contrarey to the publicke good; and quho are thesse vicked ones rysing earlie to poysone the publicke fontaine, and to sau the teares of vnhapey jelosies and discordes betuix you and ws, befor the good seed of our loue and respecte to our neighbour natione can take place in your harte. Amongest all the eiuells of this kynd that daylie duertakes ws, nixt to the present wndeserued displeasure of our Prince aganist ws, (wich God in his mercey to bothe will take off in his auen tyme) ther coulde nothing befallin more strange and wnexpected to ws, as the drawing of your forces togider vpone your border, wich quither to defend yourselues or annoy ws, and so prepare and gather thesse cloudes wich threttin a sore tempest to bothe. We for our pairt wishe that they may first perishe in the shipvracke, quho begin first to dashe the one natione aganist the other. As for you, my Lord, altho your place, persone and quality, the honor and reputatione of your former lyffe, may giue ws some assurance that your Lordschipe will be warrey to begin the quarrell, (quherat onlie enimies to both nations will reioice and catche the aduantage,) zet giue ws leiue to admire thosse groundlesse feares that make you thus strenthen your border, or rather suspecte thesse pregnat presumptions of a furder proiecte pretendit aganist this nation, by your pouer, wich neides must make ws besture ourselues betymes, at all handes, for our saftie. God is our wittnes, that we desyre no nationall quarrell to arraysse betuix ws, or to taste of that bitter fruitte, wich may both sett yours and our childrens teithe one edge; bot rather hold ourselues oblidged, in concience of our deutey to God, our Prince, and all your nation our brethren, to tray all iust and lawfull meines for the remoueall of all causses of differences, betuix tuo nations quho are zet linkit togider, and should be still in the strongest bond of affection and comon intrest; and to be alwayes redey to offer the occasion of grater satisfaction in this kynd of cleiring our loyall intentions touardes our prince, to all quhom it may concerne, and namlie to your Lordschipe, in regard of your place and command at this tyme, by aney meins quhatsomeuer should be thought expedient one both sydes. This far wee thought good to represent wnto your Lordschipe, being occasionally togider so few of ws as are in this place, for ourselues, and in name of the rest of our nomber, quho togider with ws, will expecte your (Lo:) anssuer, and rest
Your (Lo:) affectionat
frindes to serue you,
Argyle, Rothes, Montrois,
Cassiles, Lindey, Erskyne,
Louthean, St. Claire, Elcho,
Wymes, Balmerino, Forrester,
Dalhousie, Burlie.
Edinbrughe, 19 Apryle,
1639.
Segnior Cone, the Popes Nuntio, as I shew formerly, after he had remained at the courte of England 15 mounthes, contrair the lawes of England, about the tyme of the Kinges preparatione for his expeditione aganist Scotland, receaued from Rome thesse instructions, with expresse command to acquant the most eminent catholickes of England with the same:-
1. You are to command the catholicks of England in generall, that they sudandlie desist from making suche offers of men touardes the northerne expeditione, as ve heir they haue done, litle to the aduantage of ther descretione; and lykwayes it is requyred, considring the penalties alredey imposed, that they be not too forduard with money, more then that law and deuty enioynes them to pay, without aney innouation at all, are now in making themselues rather pillars of the kingdome, then they wer befor.
2. Informe the prouincialls of eurey order, that it is expreslie prohibitted no more assemblies of quhat nature soeuer shall admitt of the laijty to haue ather woyce ore assertion in it, seeinng quhat will be vrged for a præsident is bot ane vsurpation.
3. Declaire wnto the best of the peeires and gentlemen, by word of mouthe or letter, that they oght not at this tyme to expresse aney auersment in caisse the heigh courte of parliament be called; nor shew aney discontent aganist the actes wich doe not poynt blancke or aime at religion, being in generall the most fundamentall lawes of that kingdome.
4. Adwertisse the clergie to desist from that foulishe way, rather illiterat and chyldishe distinctione in the protestant and puritane doctrine. Especially this error is muche the grater, quhen they wndertake to proue that protestanistisme is a degree neirer the catholiq: faith; for since both lay without the verge of the churche, it is a neidles hypocrasey, and begetts more malice then it is vorthe.
5. The prouincialls are herein requyred to giue a generall warninge throughe all orders, that no religious persone ought to be seduced be aney noblemen, ather officers of the croune or the lyke, quho prætend to be schismaticke, into a premunere; for he that does not follow treuthe, as his conscience directes, is not worthey to be sought ore folloued by aney of our faithe. One the wther syde, wee gine the lyke command, that quhosoeuer is thought inclyning to God in his harte, lett no man be rashe as to boaste or speike it abroad.
6. Al bussie enquyries are defendit, bot cheiflie into arcanas of staite.
7. That none of the churche, wither lay-brothers ore ecclesiasticall, shall contribute so largelie to the societie as they haue done, bot dispose ther charity that eurey order may pertake alyke.
I cannot bot remember a letter, at this same tyme almost, wrettin by Lord William Howard to his nephew, the Earle of Arrundaile, his Maiestie being then at Zorke, in his iorney towardes the northe, beching his Lordschipe to take to harte the bussines of Scotland; for if they take armes, (sayes he) the northe of England will ioyne with them; and therfor he intreatted his nephew to be ane earnist solliciter of his Maiesty to take some peaceable coursse, and not to constraine by violence to doe that wich no force bot onlie loue can performe, by all appeirance; wich was a werey wysse and honorable counsaill, weill beseiming the nobility, wisdome and grauity of him quho adwyssed it.
Monday the 12 of Aguste, 1639, Johne Steuarte, Earle of Traquair, receaued his commissione wnder the broad seall in counsaile, about 7 a clocke in the morning, at Holyrudhousse, and therafter in coatche, attendit by the Lordes of the priuey counsaile, came vpe to Edinbrughe, and went all of them doune to the Thesaurer-deputts lodgeing, and ther stayed till aboute 9 houres, at wiche tyme the last bell did ring to sermon; then marched he wpe the streett one foote from the head of Netherries Wynd to the churche, in this order:-
First went the Seriants of the toune of Edinbrughe, in ther liuereyes, wncouered, with partizans in ther handes.
The Prouest and Magistrattes of Edinbrughe, wncouered;
Some sextie Gentlemen, wncouered, followed them;
His Maiesties 2 Gentlemen Vshers, wncouered;
Lord Linton, the Commissioners sone, carring in his hand his Maiesties commissione, in a carnation veluet bage;
Then came the Commissioner, Traquaire, one footte; one his right hand the Marques of Huntley, and one his left hand the Earle of Roxbrughe, Lord Priuey Seall;
After them followed the Lordes of his Maties Priuey Counsaill, couered;
And last of all, a nomber of young Lordes, Earles and Priuey Counsellors sonnes: and in this order went the Kinges Commissioner to churche to heir sermon, befor the dounsitting of the assembley.
This day being the first of the assembley, and 12 of Agust, ther wes sermons in all the churches of Edinbrughe, with publick humiliatione and fasting, for the happey successe of the said assembley. None of the Lordes conenanters did attend the said Commissioner in his triumphe this day, except some few quho wer priuey counsellers.
The 13 of Agust, and second session of the assembley, this day Mr Dauid Dicksone wes chosen moderator of the assembley; and this day his Maiesties Commisioner tolde the assembley, that altho he might iustlie except aganist diuersse of ther proceidinges, zet he wold not; bot to the contrarey, he was warrented from the Kinges Maiesty, his master, to give them all resonable contentment, that the worlde might see that his Matie intendit no nouations one them, bot onlie to gouerne them according to the lawes of the kingdome; and this was the sume of the Commissioners speiche, the 2d day and session of this assembley.
The 17 of Aguste, in the eghte session of this assembley, being Saterday, episcopacey was, by the assembley, totally remoued out of the churche of Scotland, and the 5 generall assemblies establishing them, declared null, and ther office contrarey the constitutione of this churche at the reformatione. The acte being drawen wpe and read, some contrawersey did arrysse anent some passages in it, reflecting one the assembley holdin at Glasgow, 1638, wich being omitted for his Maiesties satisfaction, Traquair condescendit verbally to the said acte, and promissed to giue wnto the clercke, in wreat, the declaratione of his consent, and that he should ratifie this acte in the ensewing parliament.
This assembley sate from the 12 of this mounthe of Aguste, wntill the 30 day of this same at night, wich wer eghteine dayes; and Traquaire, his Maiesties Commissioner, assented particularly to eurey one of ther actes, and continewed with them to the end of the last session.
The nixt Gen: Assembley was indicted by his Maiesties Commissioners consent, to be holdin at Aberdeine, 28 of Julij, in the follouinge zeire, 1640.
The assembley now endit, the parliament sate doune the 31 of Agust, 1639, altho by his Maiestie indicted to the 20 day, and continued 3 seuerall dayetts to this day, one wich it was solemlie riddin in this following order; wiche becausse it was the last parliament held in this kingdome after the ancient forme, (the royall prærogatiue in show being zet enteire,) I esteeimed it not wnfitt to represent the same to posterity, in its maiestie, with the names of suche as wer members of the same.
First of all, then, did ryde the Commissioners of Burrowes, tuo and tuo, in order, thus:-
Queinsferrey, Iames Dauling,
Dornoche, Walter Mylne,
New Galloway, Robert Gordon,
Lauder, Mr Alex: Home,
Ruglen, Dauid Spens,
Forres, Mr Jo: Dumbar,
Cullane, George Hempesfeild,
Northberuick, George Home,
Rothesay, Mathew Spens,
Forfar, Johne Mylne,
Narne, Johne Tulloche,
Bamffe, Androw Baird,
Culrosse, Archbald Mercer,
Taine, Thomas Mackculloche,
Craile, Ninian Hamilton,
Peibles, Ia: Williamsone,
Elgyne, Mr Io: Douglas,
Lanarcke, Gedione Iacke,
Renfrew, Johne Sprewell,
Dunbartane, John Semple,
Dumbar, Jo: Purwais,
Selkirke, William Scot,
Anstruther West, Io: Tullousse,
Dumfermling, La: Read,
Pittinveime, La: Airthe,
Vigtonne, Patrick Ahannay,
Kircubright, Will: Glendininge,
Iedward, Io: Rutherford,
Irwine, Mr Rob: Barclay,
Brechin, Rob: Dempster,
Kingorne, Mr Rob: Cuninghame,
Innerkethinge, Marke Kinglesey,
Brunt lyland, George Gardyne,
Inuernesse, Duncane Forbess,
Drumfreis, Io: Irweinge,
Anstruther Easter, Io: Alexander,
Coupar, Dauid Andersone,
Montrosse, Robert Keithe,
Kircaldey, Io: Williamson,
Dyserte, Dauid Sympsone,
Hadintone, Mr George Gray,
Aire, Io: Osburne,
Glasgow, Patrick Bell,
St. Andrewes, Io: Lepar,
Linlithgow, Ia: Glen,
Stirlinge, Thomas Bruce,
Aberdeene, Mr Alex: Jeffray,
Dundie, Ia: Fletcher,
Perthe, Roberte Arnott,
Edinbrughe, Io: Smythe,
Richard Maxswoll.
After the Burrowes, the Commissioners of Shyres did ryde tuo and tuo, in order, thus: one riche footte clothes, all of blacke weluett,
Sutherland, Robert Murray of Sanziedaill,
Nairne, Laird of Wynres,
Bamffe, Laird of Frendraught,
Laird of Crombie,
Elgyne and Forres, Laird of Innes,
Inuernesse, La: Streicheine,
La: of Tarbatt,
Stirlinge, La: of Keire,
La: of Polmais,
Drumfreis and Anandaile, La: of Lage,
La: of Hempesfeild,
Vigtone, La: of Large,
La: of Kilhilte,
Bute, La: of Keames,
Argyle, La: Achinbreek,
La: of Lamond,
Linlithgow, La: of Dundas,
La: of Ricarton,
Clackmanan, La: of Sauchie,
Sr Tho: Hope, iunior,
Kincardyne, La: of Morphie,
La: of Balmaine,
Forfar, La: Aldebar,
La: of Dun,
Perthe, La: of Moncreiffe,
La: of Freland,
Aberdeene, La: Lesley Forbess,
La: of Kemnay,
Aire, La: Cuninghamehead,
La: of Cesnocke,
Ranfrow, La: of Houstone,
La: of Newuarke,
Lanarke, La: of Lamington,
La: of Minto,
Peibles, La: of Blackbaroney,
La: of Stanoppes,
Selkirke, La: of Haninge,
La: of Wittsted,
Roxbrughe, Cauers Douglas,
La: of Stitchill,
Berwicke, La: of Wederburne,
La: of Blacader,
Hadington, La: of Waughton,
La: Prestone,
Fyffe, La: of Camuo,
La: of Ederney,
Edinbrughe, La: of Lugtone,
La: of Nidrie,
Nixt to the Commissioners of the severall Shyres of the kingdome, followed the Lordes; the eldest in place and dignity had the right hand, and one his lefte did the youngeste ryde: as
Balcarras and Kircubrighte,
Forrester and Ihonstone,
Dalzeill and Napeir,
Malueill and Cranstone,
Couper and Burlie,
Balmerino and Loudoun,
Boyde and Ogiluey,
Elphingston and St. Claire,
Zester and Lindesay.
Viscount Stormont ryde alone.
Earles.
Dalhousie, on hes right hand, Wymes,
Southesck and Queinsburey,
Kinnoule and Louthean,
Lauderdail and Anandaile,
Seaforte and Galloway,
Hadingtone and Kelley,
Tullibardyne and Kingorne,
Vigtone and Dumfermling,
Perthe and Home,
Linlithgow and Cassiles,
Eglintone and Montrosse,
Rothes and Airthe.
Mar did ryde alone.
Earle of Roxbrughe, as Lord Priuey Seall, did ryde after all the Earles; and if the Lord Thesaurer had not beine Commissioner, he should haue had the right hand of him.
Suorde caried by the Earle of Sutherland.
Scepter carried by the Earle of Craufurd.
Croune carried by the Earle of Argyle.
The Earle Marishall did not ryde wpe, bot in the doune coming he did ryde one the left hand of the suord. He receaued the Commissioner at the parl: housse dore, and conducted him to the throne.
Sex trumpetts clothed in scarlett and gold lace, tuo and tuo.
Sex Pursueuants, 2 and 2, in ther coattes of office.
Sex Herauldes, tuo and tuo, in ther coattes.
His Maiesties tuo Gentlemen Vshers, and in the midle betuix them did ryde Lyone Kinge of Armes.
The Lord Linton carring his Maiesties commissione in a crimsone veluett bage.
Laste of all come his Maiesties Commissioner, Traquaire, ryding one a riche caparisone, enuironed withe 16 Gentlemen, his frinds, beareheadit.
A litle after the Commissioner, the Lord Marques of Huntley did ryde in his parliament robes.
The Maissers of Session one eache syde gaurded the suord and scepter, and the Maissers of Counsell the croune. In this order did they ryde from the palace of Holyrudhousse to the corner of St. Geilles churche, quher they dismounted from ther horsses, and in order entred the parliament closse towardes the housse.
Mr Alexander Hendersone preached to the parliament; and after the sermon was endit, the Commissioner made a shorte speiche, shewing his Maiesties gratious goodnes to his people in conuocatting this parliament, for establishing of peace and tranquillity in this kingdome; then Mr Alex: Gibsone, one of the clerckes of the parliament, read his comimissione aloude.
Therafter they arrosse and remoued to the grate chamber, ore inner housse, for electing the Lordes of the Artickells, at wich they stayed till 7 a clocke at night.
Lordes chossen for the Artickells:
Marques Huntley,
Earle Argyle,
Earle Marishall,
Earle Rothes,
Earle Montrosse,
Earle Lauderdaile,
Earle Southescke,
Lord Lindesay.
Commissioners of shyres chosen one the Artickells:
James Lione of Aldebar,
Sr Will: Douglas of Cauers,
Sr Alex: Innes of the same,
Laird of Keir, Stirlinge,
Sr Robert Grhame of Morphie,
Sr Patricke Hepburne of Waghtone,
Sr Johne Dundas of that same,
Sr Robert Greire of Lage.
Commissioners of burrowes wiche wer chossen to be one the Artickells, wer:
Edinbrughe, Johne Smythe,
Dundie, James Fletcher
Glasgow, Patrick Bell,
Aberdeene, Mr Alex: Jeffray,
Stirlinge, Thomas Bruce,
Linlithgow, James Glen,
Irwinge, Mr Robert Barclay,
Dumbartane, Johne Semple.
The parliament satte at the mounthe of September, wntill the fourthe day of October, and concludit nothing. Wiche day, intimatione was made at the crosse of Edinbrughe by a heraulde, that the parliament was to ryde, and closse the 8 day of October.
Then wes it againe continued from the 8 to the 14 of October; then from the 14 to Thursday the 17; fourtly, from the 17 day to the 22; fyftly, from the 22 day to the 25 day; 6ly, to the 28 day; 7ly, to the 30 day; 8ly, to the last of this mounthe of October; and 9ly, by this same Rosse herauld, the parliament wes continued till the 14 day of Nouember. This last warrand, as all the former wer, was subscriued,
Traquair, Comrius.
The last of this mounthe of October, three new created Earles wer called befor the priuey counsaile, and receauid ther patents; viz. William Hamiltone, 2d brother to James, Marques of Hamilton, created Earle of Lanrick; James, Lord Ogiluey, creatted Earle of Airlie; and Robert, Lord Dalzeell, created Earle of Carnwathe. This same day, Sr Johne Carnegey receaued a patent to be Lord Ethay, and Sr Patricke Ruthuen, Lord Ruthuen of Etricke.
Traquaire, finding the 14 of November (the day by his proclamatione he hade ordained the parliament to ryde) to approche, was now at the last forced to put ane end to all his iuglinge; and without concluding aney thing all this tyme, to the grate dishonor of the Kinges Matie, and præiudice of the kingdome, at last to adiorne the parliament the tent tyme, to the 2d day of Junij, 1640; and that by a commissione wnder the priuey seall, without aney proclamation ore other order at all, (the lyke neuer being practissed in this natione). This warrant wes brought to the housse quher thesse of the Artickells sate, and wes offred to the clercke, Mr Alexander Gibsone of Durie, to read; quho refussed it. Bot by all the members of parliament ther was a protestatione read aganist both the forme and maner of it, in presence of the Lord Priuey Seall, and a copey therof offred to him; and immediatly they dissolued.
The parliament no souner dissolued, bot the Commissioner, Traquaire, posts wpe to courte, fraughted with sinistrows informations aganist the proceidings of the couenanters, and in eloquent tearmes befor his Maiestie and his priuey counsaill of England, stiflie denayes all, with grate othes, he had done in assembley, ore that he had assented to aney thing; bot to the contrarey, exageratts all the couenanters deportment and actinges, as tending to the destruction of the fundamentall lawes of the kingdome, and ouerthrow of monarchicall gouerniment; and makes eurey molehill a montane. Neuerthelesse his Maiestie was pleased to signifie to the Lordes heire, that he wold keepe one eare opin to ther just griuances and complaintes; wiche moued the estaites to send wpe the Earle of Dumfermling and Lord Loudon, to enforme his Matie of all ther proceidinges, both in assembly and parliament, and quhat was treulie acted ther bothe by his Commissioner and them; bot they coming to London, contrair his Maiesties promisse, fand the face of the courte altogider changed, and they debarred from accesse, not beinge so muche as admitted to speake in ther auen defence; quherof the estaites of this kingdome being aduertissed, conueind at Edinbrughe, the 22 of Nouember this zeire, and sent one Mr William Cuninghame with this follouing remonstrance and suplicatione to his Maiestie, and tuo letters, one to Traquair and the other to the Lord Marques of Hamiltone.
To the Kinges Most Excellent Maiestie, the Remonstrance and Suplicatione of the Noblemen and Commissioners of Shyres and Burrowes, his Maiesties good subiects of the Kingdome of Scotland:- Sheuinge,
That quher the grate want of his Maties royall presence at this heighe courte of parliament, as we haue at other tymes experienced, hath beine apprehendit by our aduersaries, for a fitt opportunity to ther informations and hard impressions aganist our proceidinges in parliament, as trenching vpone his Maiesties sacred and inviolable authority; as not warranted by the fundamentall lawes, and laudable practisses of this your Maiesties ancient and natiue kingdome, ore as contrair to the promisses and remonstrances wich wer made to your Matie by humble subiectes in the treuthe of ther hartes, and wer in the same sense gratiouslie accepted by your Maiesty. And altho, to our comon regrate, and the suspending of our hopes and humble desyres, your Maiestie hath thought meitt to giue order to your Heighe Commissioner to prorogat the parliament; zet suche hathe beine your Maties visdome, goodnes and iustice, (wich in all humble thankfulnes shall euer be remembred by ws,) that your Maiestie hath keipt one eare for ws, and wold not harkin and giue place in your royall harte, to the suggestions and obloquies of our enimies, till the resones of our proceidinges wer made knowen from ourselues; and wee should haue the fauor of full heringe; and for this end, it was your Maiesties royall pleasure to permitt and allow the estaittes of parliament to send some of ther nomber to giue your Maiestie trew informatione; wich being conceaued by them for a sufficient varrant, made them to directe tuo noblemen, the Earle of Dumfermling and Lord of Loudoune to your Maiesties courte, instructed with full commissione to that effecte. Bot since your Maiestie did iudge it not conuinent, to grante wnto them accesse and audience at that tyme; wee now, from the sense of the distracted conditione of your Maiesties natiue kingdome, wich wee nothing doubte bot your Maiesty will, in your tender and fatherly caire compassionat, doe in all earnistnesse desyre, and in all humility suplicat, that your Matie may be pleassed vpone this our declaratione, that wee intend nothing bot quhat shall meritt approbatione at the throne of your Maiesties justice, to giue commandiment for the proceiding of the parliament, that therby our eiuells may be cured befor they be past remedey; maney dangerous consequences may be preuented; and the troubled estaite of this kirke and kingdome speedily settled; wich is the longinge desyre and vniversal expectatione of all your Maiesties peaceable subiectes. Ore if your Matie shall thinke it necessarey for your furder satisfactione, aganist all exceptions, to make particular enquyrie, and take notice of the reasons of our proceidinges and demandes from our auen mouthes, wiche wee shall be most willing to rander. In that caisse, wee are confident that your Maiesties royall eares will be in the meane tyme shutte aganist all the sinister informations of suche men as are fallin oute with the tymes, and think our comon calamities a mitigatione of ther auen iuste suffringes; and doe humblie intreat, that your Maiesty may be pleassed to giue signification of your royall will heiranent; and to grant warrand to send some from ws to your Maiesties presence, that so soune as may be, the parliament longe since begune by your Maiesties indiction, may, by your Maiesties wisdome and goodnes, haue the wished conclusion, to your Maiesties honor, and the ioyfull acclamatione of the quhole kingdome.
To his Maiesties Commissioner, then at courte, Traquaire, (least they should seime to neglecte him,) the couenanters wreat this subsequent letter:-
Pleis your Grace,
Least wee should omitt aney deutie that becometh humble and loyall subiectes, we haue sent vpe our humble suplication, that if his Maiestie shall not be pleassed to giue commandiment for the proceiding of the parliament, his Maiesty may be pleased, by his royall warrant, to allow some of our nomber to come to his royall presence, that wee may make knowen from ourselues, the reasons of our proceidinges in parliament; wiche wee conceaue not onlie to be the fairest way for ws, bot also to be most aggriable to his Maiesties intentions. We expecte more kyndly and wnpartiall dealling from your Grace, by your mediation with his Maiestie in present, then wee haue found this tyme past heire in his Maiesties abscence; and that you will labor to remoue impediments, if aney can be imagined, and procure not onlie accesse, bot a gratious anssuer to the gentleman, the presenter. So muche your Grace oueth to your natiue countrey, wich in this is the suplicant; so muche with the Kinges Maiesties honor, least, contrair to his Maiesties wounted benignity, it be noysed abroad that his Maiestie hath repelled a suplicatione of this kynd; and so muche to yourselue, and your auen place, for wiche youre Grace knoweth it is no lesse proper to see that our humble desyres be brought befor his Maiestie, then it wes incumbent to your Grace to receaue them yourselue, quhill you wer heire. Thus, as it is the earnist desyre, so it is the confidence and expectation of
Your Graces frindes and seruants.
Edinbrughe,
22 Nouember, 1639.
The Lord Loudoun, in name of the estaites, wes commandit to wreat to the Lord Marques Hamilton, with Mr William Cuninghame, this subsequent letter:-
My most honored and noble Lord,
Albeit the Earle of Dumfermling and I could not haue the happines to be admitted to his Maiesties presence; zet now the parliament being prorogat by his Maiesties Commissioner to a longe day, and the dangerous and deplorable conditione of this kingdome requyring a spedey remedey, wich so far as our iudgement can reache, can be no other then by determination of the parliament; Mr William Cuninghame is sent wpe with a petition, humblie craueing that his Maiestie may be gratiouslie pleased to command that the parliament may proceid and determine to ratifie the actes of the assembley, and for doing of suche other thinges as may conduce for the good and peace of the kingdome; or if his Maiestie be informed that ther is aney thing demandit in parliament, quherat his Maiestie takes exceptione, or hes scruples, that his Maiestie may allow suche as shall be sent from hence to come to his Maiestie to cleire the lawfullnes of ther proceidinges, and the reasons of ther demandes; for procuring quherof (befor eiuells grow to the extremetie of irreparable losse,) I am confident your (Lo:) will be ane intercessor at his Maiesties handes; nather will I wsse aney argument to persuade your (Lo:) wther then the faithfull and trew affection you carrey towardes his Maiesty, and the good and peace of this his ancient and natiue kingdome, wich in this perplexed conditione, is treulie the suplicant that doeth implore his Maiesties fatherlie and royall compassion, and your (Lo:) mediation; and quhat I presume to wreat to your (Lo:) for this end, is not from myselue alone, bot also in name of the quhole noblemen and gentlemen quho are heire, of quhom no man shall be more redey to doe your (Lo:) seruice then
Your (Lo:) humble Seruant,
LOUDON.
Edinburghe,
22 Nouember, 1639.
–
One thought on “King Charles, the First of that Name (1639-1640), pp.320-371.”